Tools and Inquiry — IB Physics skills
T.1.2 Measuring Variables in Physics — IB Physics HL Revision Notes & Topical Questions
5 min read 9 parts Lesson 3 of 22 1 quiz
Curriculum Equation Key قوانين الرقم الهيدروجيني والاتزان الأيوني - pH & Acid-Base Equilibrium FormulasFast Exam Solution
pH = -log[H⁺] | pOH = -log[OH⁻] | pH + pOH = 14 | [H⁺][OH⁻] = 10⁻¹⁴
Word Equation & Conditions: الرقم الهيدروجيني = -لوغاريتم تركيز أيون الهيدروجين | pH + pOH = 14
Location & Specifications: الاتزان الأيوني، كيمياء 3 ثانوي، التحصيلي، و AP Chemistry.
Lesson summary
T.1.2 Measuring Variables in Physics — IB PHYSICS SL notes: Choose and use instruments to measure mass, time, length, volume, temperature, force, current, voltage, angle, sound and light correctly.Choose an instrument whose range and resolution match the measurement — to give val…
- A ruler measures a few centimetres to the nearest millimetre
- The instrument must not disturb the system
- Liquid thermometer
- Digital temperature probe
- Stir liquids and keep the bulb away from the walls
- Potential difference
Part 1 of 7Choosing instruments
Choosing instruments
Choose an instrument whose range and resolution match the measurement
- Choose an instrument whose range and resolution match the measurement to give valid, high-quality data.
A ruler measures a few centimetres to the nearest millimetre
- A ruler measures a few centimetres to the nearest millimetre a micrometer suits very small sizes and a tape measure larger distances.
Using the largest possible reading reduces percentage uncertainty.
- A 0–10 V meter reading 8.0 V ± 0.1 V has 1.3% uncertainty; reading 0.8 V gives 12.5%.
The instrument must not disturb the system
- The instrument must not disturb the system and its sensitivity must match the changes of interest.
Part 2 of 7Mass, time and length
Mass
- Mass a digital balance to two decimal places; tare it first and record in kilograms.
Time
- Time a stopwatch or stop-clock; the unit is the second.
- (1 minute = 60 s)
- Human reaction time matters for intervals under a second — use light gates or video instead.
Length
- Length standard unit is the metre; a ruler reads to 1 mm, read perpendicular to avoid parallax.
- A micrometer reads to 0.01 mm: use the ratchet and subtract any zero error.
- Measure a stack of sheets and divide to reduce percentage uncertainty for thin objects.
Volume
- Volume a measuring cylinder; 1 mL of water = 1 cm3.
- The change in level gives the volume of an irregular solid.
Part 3 of 7Temperature
Temperature
Liquid thermometer
- Liquid thermometer uses expansion of alcohol or mercury in a capillary tube.
- Reads to the nearest 1 °C or 0.5 °C; simple, robust and cheap.
- It equilibrates slowly and is less precise than digital options.
Digital temperature probe
- Digital temperature probe uses thermistors or thermocouples.
- Reads to ±0.1 °C or better with fast, real-time readings.
- Suits data logging and remote or automated experiments, and reduces human error.
Stir liquids and keep the bulb away from the walls
- Stir liquids and keep the bulb away from the walls and read at eye level.
Part 4 of 7Force, current and potential difference
Force, current and potential difference
Force
- Force measured directly with a force meter (spring balance) in newtons.
Current
- Current an ammeter connected in series with the part measured.
Potential difference
- Potential difference a voltmeter connected in parallel across the component.
Check meters for zero error before use
- Check meters for zero error before use subtract any zero reading from all measurements.
Analogue meters have a needle and scale and suffer parallax error
- Analogue meters have a needle and scale and suffer parallax error read perpendicular to the scale.
Digital meters read small values (mA, µA, mV) and are more precise
- Digital meters read small values (mA, µA, mV) and are more precise but the display may flicker, so a judgement is needed.
Typical analogue ranges
- 0.1–1.0 A and 1.0–5.0 A for ammeters; 0.1–1.0 V or 0–5.0 V for voltmeters.
Part 5 of 7Angle, sound and light
Angle
- Angle a protractor with precision ±0.5°.
- Align the baseline carefully and read at eye level.
- Use a consistent reference point, such as measuring from a drawn normal to the centre of the ray.
Sound intensity
- Sound intensity a sound level meter with precision about ±0.1 dB.
- Hold at a fixed distance, because intensity falls with distance (inverse square law).
- Avoid background noise.
Light intensity
- Light intensity a light meter, photodiode or lux meter, precision about ±1 W m-2.
- Keep the detector perpendicular to the source and shield from stray light.
- Ambient light affects results, so use a dark room where possible.
Part 6 of 7Reducing measurement errors
Parallax
- Parallax view the scale at right angles; a mirror behind the scale helps.
Zero error
- Zero error check the reading with no input and subtract it.
Calibration
- Calibration compare with a known standard, such as ice at 0 °C and boiling water.
Reaction time
- Reaction time time longer intervals or use automated timing.
Environment
- Environment shield from draughts, vibration and heat sources when precision matters.
Part 7 of 7More from the specification
1Laboratory Safety with Pressure Equipment
- Experiments involving gas pressure and closed thermal vessels require pressure relief valves, protective shielding,
- and heat-resistant glass to prevent explosive failure.
2Safe Use and Disposal of Batteries
- Chemical battery cells must be monitored against accidental short-circuit heating, stored safely,
- and disposed of in designated recycling channels to eliminate toxic heavy metal hazards.
3Apparatus Handling and Risk Assessment
- Proper laboratory investigations demand hazard evaluation of high voltages, sharp glassware,
- and corrosive reagents, accompanied by personal protective apparatus.
4Ethical Issues in Scientific Experimentation
- Researchers must adhere to ethical standards by recording raw data honestly, avoiding fabrication,
- and ensuring environmental and biological safety.
5Battery
- Two or more cells joined together.
6Apparatus
- The equipment needed to carry out an experiment.
7Pressure
- Force per unit area, P = F/A.What the symbols mean: p = pressure (Pa = N m−2) · F = force acting at right angles to the surface (N) · A = area (m2)
8Electron diffraction
- The spreading of an electron beam by atomic gaps in a crystal, giving ring patterns that show wave behaviour.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Resolution | Smallest change an instrument can detect or display. |
| Parallax error | Apparent shift in a reading from viewing a scale at an angle. |
| Zero error | Non-zero reading when the true value is zero. |
| Calibration | Checking an instrument against a known standard. |
| Tare | Setting a balance to zero before weighing. |
| Reaction time | Delay of about 0.2 s in a human starting or stopping a timer. |
Avoid these mistakes
1
Reading a scale from an angle, causing parallax error.
2
Ignoring zero error in a micrometer, meter or balance rather than correcting it.
3
Using a stopwatch for a very short event — reaction time dominates.
4
Connecting a voltmeter in series or an ammeter in parallel.
5
Using a coarse instrument whose resolution is too large for the quantity.
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